Kevan George earns Gold Cup call-up

COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew announced today that midfielder/defender Kevan George has been called-up for international duty with Trinidad & Tobago ahead of the knockout phase of the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Under rules of the tournament, teams are allowed to amend their 23-man roster and add up to four players from the provisional list of 35 players immediately following the group stage. George is currently in Atlanta for Trinidad & Tobago’s clash with Mexico, taking place this evening at 6:30 p.m. ET at the Georgia Dome.

George replaces Khaleem Hyland on The Soca Warriors Gold Cup roster. The call-up is George’s first on the senior roster after making three starts in the 2012 Olympic Qualifying run with Trinidad & Tobago’s Under-23 squad.

While on international duty, George will miss at least one of the Black & Gold’s League matches, beginning tonight against the New England Revolution (7:30 p.m. ET / FOX Sports Ohio). Trinidad & Tobago face two-time defending champion Mexico at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Georgia at 6:30 p.m. ET this evening. The tournament’s semifinal is set for Wednesday, July 24 before the 2013 Gold Cup Final on Sunday, July 28 at Chicago’s Soldier Field.

As a result of the call-up, two Crew players are now representing their native countries in the knockout stage of the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup, as the Black & Gold’s Jairo Arrieta scored one goal in three caps for Costa Rica during group play before his side advanced as well.

With the Crew, George has made a career-high eight appearances –including three starts – through 19 matches in 2013. Of those starts, the Roxborough, Trinidad & Tobago native made two appearances – including a start -- at centerback and two starts and four substitute appearances in midfield for the Crew. The Black & Gold drafted George in the second round (29th overall) of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft and in his rookie season he made seven appearances, including four starts.